First Baptist Church

Rome, Georgia

September 5, 2021 11:00 a.m.

To help maintain a spirit of worship, please silence phones. We welcome a larger congregation through

Comcast Channel 44 and through the livestream over the church website and YouTube.

Chiming of the Hour Prelude. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Hill

“The King of Love My Shepherd Is”...arr. David Cherwien (Please use this time to prepare your heart for worship.)

Welcome to Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Uldrick

*Hymn of Praise No. 364. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I LOVE THEE

“I Love Thee” Call to Confession on Labor Day Sunday

God said, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord.”

Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,

And I will give you rest.”

We come in the name of the Spirit, resting from our labors.

Lord, hear these things in our lives that take away our

ability to rest and keep us separated from You.

A Time for Silent Confession of Sins Assurance of Forgiveness

God watches over the weary, and grants grace to all. Hear the good

news: in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Amen!

*Reading of Holy Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James 2:1-10, 14-17

(Today’s scripture may be found on page 1196 of the Bible in the pew racks.)

Kristen Pope, reader

Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

*Gloria Patri (Hymn 704) Musical Offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sanctuary Choir

“Walk Worthy”...Joseph Martin

Walk worthy of the Lord. Come give your heart to Christ. Live always bearing fruit for him. Live strengthened by His might.

Walk worthy of the Lord. All power to His name. Give Him glory, give Him honor, walk worthy of the Lord.

Blessed is the one, the one who trusts in God, For he is like a tree planted by a stream.

Morning Prayer (with the Lord’s Prayer). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Murray Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn of Compassion No. 662 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AURELIA

“The Mission God Has Given” (Children ages four through third grade may depart for Children’s Worship.)

Sermon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Murray

“Favoritism Is Not Allowed”

*Hymn of Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HE LEADETH ME

“O Lord, May All We Say and Do”

O Lord, may all we say and do reflect the faith we have in You;

For faith is meant to change the way we live our lives from day to day.

Refrain: He leadeth me, He leadeth me, by His own hand He leadeth me. His faithful follower I would be, for by His hand he leadeth me.

God, may we open wide the door and welcome people who are poor;

And may we share with them our bread, for faith without good works is dead.

O Lord, possessions rust away, but Your love fills us every day;

Through prayer and service in Your name, may we live out the faith we claim.

*Prayer of Stewardship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tamara Tillman Smathers

Offertory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joan Hill

“This Is My Father’s World”...arr. Charles Callahan

Pastor Search Prayer Requests: Each day this week remember these specific requests: —Pray for Heather Shores, Pastor Search Committee member —Pray for a time of fruitful ministry as our church prepares for our next pastor. (John 15:16) The Work of the Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Smathers Welcome to New Members of the Church Family *Pastoral Blessing *Passing of the Peace *Hymn of Commissioning

He leadeth me, He leadeth me, by His own hand He leadeth me.

His faithful follower I would be, for by His hand he leadeth me.

*Postlude. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Hill

“A Mighty Fortress”...arr. Jason Payne

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we navigate these challenging times together.

On August 9 the deacons approved these guidelines:

Masks are strongly recommended for people who enter the church building, regardless of vaccination status.

Masks are required for children ages 5 through 11 and for their teachers.

Copies of the complete policy have been sent to church members and are available on the website

and in locations around the church.

Seating is on every other pew Joining First Baptist

We receive new members in several ways. Those who have never publicly acknowledged Christ as Lord join by public profession of faith. Baptism is scheduled for a later date. Members of other Baptist congregations may transfer their membership to our congregation. We handle the details of contacting your current church. Members of other Christian faith traditions are invited to join by “statement of faith.” Because other traditions vary in belief and practice, those joining by statement of faith are invited to speak with a minister before joining so that they might answer questions.

Children’s Worship Children ages four through third grade are invited to Children’s Worship on the second floor of the Education Building. The children return to the sanctuary following worship.

Prayer Concerns (Please place in offering plate or hand to a minister.) ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Dr. Ron Murray Interim Pastor

Keith A. Reaves Senior Associate/Minister of Worship

Tamara Tillman Smathers Minister of Education/Administration

John H. Uldrick Minister to Students and Missions

Kristen Pope Minister of Faith Development

Gwen Stephens Minister to Extended Family

Joan Hill, Organist

Beverly Harris, Pianist

A SERVICE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP FOR YOUR INFORMATION

We are honored you have chosen to join us in worship. There is a time in our service when we will welcome guests; we will not, however, ask you to stand, raise your hand or do anything that makes you feel awkward. We would like to know you were here, however. Please fill out the information request below and place it in the offering plate or hand it to an usher or minister. We promise to use it only to contact you about our church.

This is my (our)…

___ First visit to First Baptist Church

___ Second (+) visit

Name_________________________

Spouse’s Name___________________

Address________________________

City_______________

State_________ Zip Code __________

E-mail_________________________

Marital Status

____Married ____Single ___Widow(er)

Telephone______________________

Children at Home (Name/Age/Grade)

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

___ I am new to Rome.

___ I am interested in knowing more

about First Baptist Church.

___ I would like to talk with a minister.

___ I would like to know how to become a

Christian.

___ I interested in becoming a member

of First Baptist Church. ___ I am a guest of:

_____________________________

Sunday, September 5 9:00 a.m. Scrap Iron Broadcast (WLAQ 1410) 9:45 a.m. Bible Studies 11:00 a.m. Worship Monday, September 6 Church Office Closed Tuesday, September 7 5:30 p.m. Pastor Search Committee - Builders Room

Wednesday, September 8 4:45 p.m. First Choice Curbside meals (Reservation Only) 6:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting/Adult Bible Study - ZOOM 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal Thursday, September 9 4:00 p.m. Departure for “Hamilton” at Fox Theatre Friday, September 10 12:00 p.m. Finance Committee Saturday, September 11 9:00 a.m. Deacon Retreat 7:00 p.m. Youth Tailgate—Uldrick Home

The flowers in the Narthex are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Cornelia Milford and in honor of Miller Milford on the occasion of their wedding anniversary and in honor of Bob Harris on the occasion of his birthday, by Beverly Harris and Family.

The flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the glory of God through the Jo Huffman Flower Fund at First Baptist Church.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES POSTPONED Because of the rapidly escalating number of COVID cases in Floyd County and out of an abundance of caution, FBC is postponing the start of Wednesday night for children and youth activities until at least September 15. Curbside Meals will continue and Prayer Meeting and Bible Study will be available through Zoom. WEDNESDAY SEMINAR FOR ADULTS “Roots: Looking Below the Surface to Discover our Spiritual Roots” Join us by Zoom as we explore who we are as Christians, as Baptist Christians, and as a fellowship of First Baptist of Rome Christians. Tamara Smathers leads this seminar immediately after prayer time at 6 p.m.

HAITI RELIEF FUND Please give generously to CBF’s Haiti response efforts by designating a contribution to FBC Rome as “Haiti Relief” or go to www.cbf.net/haiti.

MEALS FOR HOSPITAL WORKERS FBC continues to provide meals for our local hospital workers. Meals are prepared by a local restaurant and delivered to the hospital. To participate, please designate your contribution for “Hospital Meal.” In addition, consider writing a note of encouragement. For more information, contact Tamara Smathers.

CHURCHWIDE LISTENING SESSIONS Sunday, September 12, 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Dr. David Hull will be with us as we clarify for the Pastor Search Committee our priorities for our next pastor. An identical virtual session is Monday, September 13 at 6:30 p.m.

First Baptist Church, 100 East Fourth Avenue, Rome, GA 30161 Phone: 706.291.6850 Website: www.fbcrome.org

WELCOME

wELCOME CHURCH CALENDAR

On August 9 the deacons approved the following guidelines:

Masks are strongly recommended for

people who enter the church building, regardless of vaccination status.

Masks are required for children ages

5 through 11 and for anyone working with children younger than 12 years old.

Copies of the complete policy have been sent to church members and are available on the website and in locations around the church.

Ethics of the Kingdom: Where is the EVIDENCE of OUR COMMITMENT TO Christ?

A Sermon Series

August 29:

Cardiac care

(Being clean from the inside)

Today

Favoritism is not allowed

(Love everyone)

September 12

Deny, Take Up, Follow

(Sacrifice)

September 19

Last and Least

(To Serve, rather than be served)

September 26

Radical Surgery

(Resisting sin)